EV powerup continues

THE region’s electric vehicle charger network has grown with the installation of a new charger outside the Discovery Science and Technology Centre.

The fast EV charger is available for public use and capable of charging up to 120 kilometres of range per hour.

Energy company Cola Solar sponsored the device and electrician Jonathan Beattie said it could boost EV tourism in Bendigo.

“We’re seeing increased demand and need for these chargers. People are driving around and they need places to charge,” he said.

“Most EVs are charged primarily at home but for visiting people, tourists or people that are going on a long road trip, it’s a real great utility to have a charging point in a location where you’ve got other things to do.”

A designated four-hour EV car park has been marked to use the charger, located between Bendigo Station and the Marketplace shopping centre.

It will be powered by Discovery’s rooftop solar panels during the day and a battery at night.

The charger is part of Bendigo Tech School’s Girls in STEAM Electric Car Project, which involves female students from across the region to transform a Range Rover into a Tesla powered four-wheel drive.

The school’s director Graeme Wiggins said the new charger marked an exciting next step in the project.

“The installation of the AC fast charger is an important milestone in an innovative community enterprise that will help educate the community on the future of sustainable transport,” he said.

“It has been brilliant seeing the Girls in STEAM working on the electric car project in the Discovery Centre workshop. The installation of the EV charger is an exciting milestone in their progress.”